INTERVIEW WITH ... AKINE

Fresh off her opening tour slot with Bastille, Best Laid Plans Records Singer & artist Akine talks music, her band members and collaborators the Wavewalkrs, plus more at The Reclusive Blogger ...The Reclusive Blogger: Hi, Akine. I always start with a fun ice breaker question so ...The Reclusive Blogger: Morning Bird or Night Owl?Akine: Definitely Night Owl. I’m most productive from 10pm and 2am. That’s usually when i write too.The Reclusive Blogger: Can you tell us how you got started as a singer and songwriter? Did you always want to be that?Akine: Yes. As long as I remember I've always wanted to be a singer/ songwriter. It was either that or becoming a Pirate. There was no third option. I started writing lyrics and melodies when I was 11 or 12 and it gradually became an obsession, compulsion. By 16 I had enough material for a few albums. Some of it will never see the light of day but some of the songs are now released or will be later this year. My sister helped me record a few tracks and get them to a label. So here I am now.The Reclusive Blogger: You released your debut EP, Don't Foster Fear last year? What was the writing and recording process like for you? Especially being a young debut artist?Akine: I had written a few songs that came together into a theme. I was going through a rough time at school, feeling like an outcast and just very anxious and fearful of everything. These feelings came to form the concept of the EP. Recording was pretty awesome. James Earp is a fantastic producer and now a great friend. He immediately got me and the music and the lyrics. It was so easy working with him. I've been lucky to be surrounded by people who believe in me so i cant say that I’ve had to struggle in that sense.The Reclusive Blogger: You are currently playing a few shows with Bastille? How has that experience been for you? Have any you gotten any touring tips from your fellow tourmates?Akine: The experience of touring has been a real eye opener. Watching BASTILLE, their work ethic, the way they prep and perform its just all done on such a high level of professionalism. They have been so supportive of my music from the very start. It’s pretty surreal that I went from being a Bastille fan to performing on one stage with Dan Smith. It’s been incredible, the experience, the people who make it all look so easy when there’s actually a ton of preparation that goes into playing every single show. I cant wait to do more live, its such a high. Also, being able to perform with my friends and band mates the Wavewalkrs it just didn’t feel like work. Physically demanding but also emotionally rewarding, that’s how id summarize touring.The Reclusive Blogger: Speaking of Bastille ... what's your favourite Bastille song?Akine: I have a few but I guess I would have to say “Two Evils”.The Reclusive Blogger: What musician would you love to collaborate with? And Why?Akine: There’s so many! I would love to collaborate with Fiona Apple, Modeselector, Mitski, Brockhampton or Ben Howard.The Reclusive Blogger: Is there a lyric that you’ve written that has the most meaning for you or is your favorite?Akine: In “Cashmere” I wrote about a girl I used to be close with and as we grew apart as friends, our values also changed and it broke my heart a little bit. I guess at one point being cool and popular became a priority for her and in a way I felt like she chose that over our friendship.

“Everything you do, you do it for the camera, the likes and the views. Writing your name on the walls, i was here. Gotta remind them or they will forget”

- Cashmere by Akine

The Reclusive Blogger: Throwing in a fun one here… If you could live in any fictional universe, which would you choose?
Akine: I would either live in Pirates of the Carribean themed universe or Harry Potter world. Definitely somewhere really spontaneous where anything could happen.
The Reclusive Blogger: Are there any artists that have been “On Repeat” for you lately? What music have you been digging?
Akine: Mitski, Mitski, Mitski. I’m a fan

The Reclusive Blogger: And what’s next for you Akine?Akine: More music. Hopefully I’ll get an album together before the end of the year and release that. Like I said before, I want to travel and play live, I love meeting the people that listen to my music.The Reclusive Blogger: Anything else you would like to add? :)Akine: Have a great day))To learn more about Akine go here: https://www.akinemusic.comFollow Akine on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/akine.music/Follow Akine on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/thisisakineStream/Buy “Don't Foster Fear” here: https://songwhip.com/album/akine/dont-foster-fearYou can also learn more about Best Laid Plans Records and all of their amazing artists including Akine go here: https://bestlaidplansrecords.com

Until then,
Brittney x
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